The European Union began screening the readiness of Balkan neighbours Macedonia and Albania yesterday (17 July) to start negotiations by June next year on joining the EU.

EU governments last month delayed by at least a year a decision to allow membership talks with Macedonia and Albania after France and the Netherlands demanded more reforms to tackle organised crime and corruption.

Johannes Hahn, the EU’s Enlargement Commissioner, told reporters in the Macedonian capital Skopje he was happy “to announce today the official launch of the screening process with your country”.

Great day for me as Commissioner+ good news f. of the countries concerned: t’day we launched officially the process w/ 🇲🇰 + 🇦🇱, setting the path f. opening negotiations next year. A big motivation to continue+ intensify !

— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU)

Hahn explained the screening would allow Macedonia and neighbouring Albania to become familiar with EU legal norms and the EU to gauge their preparedness to comply with them, especially the chapters on rule of law.

“This shows our very strong engagement to accompany you in your reform efforts and to turn your EU integration perspective into reality,” Hahn said, promising the EU door would be open.

“Start work as soon as possible, do not lose a single day: produce results to quell all doubts,” Hahn told Albania’s government hours later as he launched the screening process in Tirana.

There's a great responsibility ahead of us, but even greater incentive among us. We will create e responsible, effective productive team to enhance the transformation of the society, to start the 🇲🇰 screening and to prepare for 🇪🇺 accession negotiation

— Bujar Osmani (@Bujar_O)

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